Pipe is made of a long hole that is completely surrounded by metal or plastic, which is centered around the hole.
Pipe is hollow throughout the entire length. Holes that are a different length than the pipe cannot be used. The hole in the pipe and the pipe itself must be the same length, otherwise, it makes no sense.
The I. D. (inside diameter) of the pipe must not exceed the O. D. (outside diameter), otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
Pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside later on.
Pipe should be supplied without rust. Rust is typically applied at the job site, though, most vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipe, with a few of them supplying it at no extra charge. If available in your area, the pre-rusted product is recommended as it will save a lot of time gathering rust on the job site. We've all seen it. They need it on the jobsite yesterday, but it's not actually used until next month because it can't be erected until it accumulates a substantial amount of rust.
Pipe that is 40 ft in length should have the words “long pipe” clearly painted on each end, so the receiver will know that it’s a long pipe.
Pipe over 42 ft in length must also have the words “really long pipe” painted in the middle, so the receiver will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine that it’s a really long pipe that will need special attention.
All pipe over 6" in diameter must have the words “large diameter pipe” painted on it, so the receiver will not mistake it for a small diameter pipe.
When ordering 90 degree, 45 degree or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify a right hand or a left hand elbow, otherwise you could end up with your pipe turned the wrong way.
Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill, or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way. If you use level pipe for going downhill, the water will just sit there and do nothing.
All pipe couplings should have either a right hand thread or a left hand thread, but do not mix the threads, otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed onto one pipe, it will unscrew itself.
Edit: This post was intended purely for entertainment.
While working on a powerhouse in Mississippi I encountered some connections that could be bolted up because the holes were misaligned. We tried using a bullpin and then a drift pin, but there were still several holes that were misdrilled. I went to the tool shed and asked the fellow for a couple of bridge reamers.
"Sorry friend, we don't have any." was his response to my inquiry.
"I can't believe a job this big has no reamers on hand. Are you sure there's no reamers back there?" I asked.
He said, "Kid, your free to look for yourself, but I can tell you there ain't no reamers back here. Now if you want a drill, I have plenty, but they ain't no good for nothing!"
"What do you mean? I asked.
"They don't have a point. You can push on them until you're blue in the face, but they won't drill butter!" he said.
I told him to let me see on of those drills. He handed me a perfectly new reamer. He had dozens of them all sitting in their boxes unused because they couldn't drill butter with them!
I wish it was only a joke, but the guy had no idea, no clue what a bridge reamer was or what it was used for.
Best regards - Al